KATHMANDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Nepal plans to attract more than 10,000 foreign wellness tourists each year after 2030, with the country expecting to generate 20 million to 30 million U.S. dollars in annual revenue.
The Nepali government has already announced that 2027 will be observed as Wellness Tourism Year, while the United Nations has declared April 15 as World Wellness Day.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation unveiled the National Wellness Tourism Strategy (2026-2035) and Action Plan (2026-2030), envisioning Nepal as a global wellness tourism destination while setting targets for foreign tourist arrivals and revenue generation.
The strategy aims to develop Nepal as a wellness tourism destination and build a foundation for economic prosperity.
Wellness tourism refers to travel aimed at maintaining, enhancing, or initiating a healthier lifestyle, with a focus on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Unlike medical tourism, which is primarily curative, wellness tourism emphasizes proactive, preventive, and holistic health experiences such as spa treatments, yoga, and meditation.
"With a target of attracting more than 10,000 travelers annually and generating 20 to 30 million U.S. dollars in revenue (after 2030), the market is expected to achieve its full potential," the strategy states.
The ministry said Nepal possesses immense potential for wellness tourism due to its unique cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and natural environment.
"Despite the rapid global expansion of the wellness economy, Nepal's traditional healing practices and peaceful natural retreats have not yet been fully utilized," it said. "The growing demand for wellness tourism has created an opportunity to develop sustainable tourism, and it will help reduce dependence on seasonal adventure tourism and conventional cultural tourism." ■
